Whiplash is defined as damage to the soft tissues of the neck caused when the head is forced forward and backward suddenly. In most cases the injury will heal on its own, but the long-term health effects of whiplash when untreated by a chiropractor in Conyers can get more serious as the years go on.

Without an examination by an orthopedic specialist, there’s no way to tell how bad a case of whiplash is, so you should get checked out immediately if you have been in a car accident or suffered a bad fall and feel pain and stiffness in your neck.

Symptoms

The most well known symptoms of whiplash are neck pain and stiffness, but there are several additional symptoms to look out for. Additional symptoms are:

Swelling, redness, bruising, or other discoloration of the neck

Dizziness

Difficulty speaking or swallowing

Headache

Blurred eyesight

Difficulty concentrating

Pain in the upper or lower back

If you have recently been in a car accident or otherwise experienced physical trauma that could have caused whiplash and you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, contact a doctor to ensure that your injury heals properly. If your injury doesn’t heal properly it can lead to reduced range of motion and chronic pain.

Untreated whiplash can lead to:

Premature Cervical Spondylosis

Premature Degenerative Disc Disease

Disc herniation

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

TMJ Disorder

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Horner’s Syndrome

Chronic vertigo

Insomnia

Chronic headaches

Treatment

It’s best to get screened for any injuries within 24 hours after an accident, but if you waited there’s still hope. Car insurance likely won’t cover the cost of treatment because waiting any more than 24 hours gives the insurance company room to say that something other than a car accident could have caused your injury, but you can still find relief from your pain.

Whether your injury occurred today or years ago, proper chiropractic treatment can help. It can encourage the healing of a new injury and soothe the lingering discomfort from an old one. Accidents happen, and sometimes injuries can’t be avoided, but proper treatment is always the best response.